Walks from Godalming

Highly recommended: River valley, forest tracks, sandy bridleways, open parkland, country houses and wooded valleys.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Mother Ludlam's Cave: Sandstone cave associated with local folklore (1h30 in).

Godalming: attractive market town (5h45 in).

1 lunch spot: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h15 in)

5 end-of-walk rewards: the Cyder House Inn, the Rose and Crown, the Richmond Arms, the Fox & Finch, or the Star

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Linear countryside walk on bridleways and country lanes through woodland and an arboretum, finishing along the Wey Navigation towpath.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Hydon's Ball and Heath: Memorial to Octavia Hill overlooking the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Trust; 1h15 in).

Winkworth Arboretum: National Trust arboretum with over 1,000 species of trees and shrubs, noted for autumn colour (National Trust; 1h45 in; 2h to visit).

Busbridge Lakes: Ornamental lake gardens with rare waterfowl.

Hydon's Ball: Hilltop viewpoint with an Octavia Hill memorial and views toward the South Downs.

Wey and Godalming Navigations: Historic navigable waterway opened in 1653, now owned by the National Trust.

Phillips Memorial Park and Cloister: Riverside park with a cloister commemorating Titanic radio operator Jack Phillips.

Godalming: attractive market town.

4 lunch spots: Godalming — the Rose and Crown, or the Star; plus Winkworth Arboretum café (1h45 in), or Winkworth Arboretum Tea Room (National Trust café serving hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks, with mostly outdoor seating)

Warnings: A new housing estate at Tuesley has been built over the footpath with no signage; walkers can cross the estate to reach the road. Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Walking Post (inc. GPX).

Open fields, holloways, mixed woodland, old churches, riverside path along the River Wey, and historic market town. Quiet and isolated.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Watts Chapel: Beautiful Arts and Crafts creation of Mary Watts (1h30 in).

Godalming: attractive market town (3h15 in).

2 lunch spots: the Tea Shop (1h15 in), or the Withies Inn (1h45 in)

4 end-of-walk rewards: the Star, Godalming Delights (great ice cream), the Fox & Finch, or the Richmond Arms

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Winkworth Arboretum: National Trust arboretum with over 1,000 species of trees and shrubs, noted for autumn colour (National Trust; 1h45 in; 2h to visit).

1 lunch spot: Winkworth Arboretum café (1h45 in)

Source: Trains2Green.

A gorgeous, gentle route; The scenery is stunning. A gentle, mostly flat riverside route along the towpath of the River Wey and Godalming Navigations. On rough paths in places, with a few muddy parts and a sandy and eroded section near Guildford that needs care. Part runs along an old railway line. Mostly follows the towpath of the River Wey and Godalming Navigations; part runs along the old railway line and much of the path is National Trust land. Narrow boats, locks and a pillbox along the way.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Wey.

Lunch: A pub/restaurant with a children's playground roughly half way; note some venues have reported closures.

Warnings: The towpath at Guildford between the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the rowing club has been closed since 2019 due to a collapsed footbridge, with an unsigned diversion via the A281 and Shalford Road; the diversion includes steep steps and a narrow gate. The approach to Guildford station is traffic-heavy with awkward crossings. A sandy, eroded section near Guildford needs care.

Walk details: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Reverse direction: Wey Valley Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

Largely level riverside trails along the River Wey, the Wey Navigation canal towpath and a former railway line, passing Phillips Memorial Park.

Phillips Memorial Park: A riverside park commemorating Jack Phillips, the wireless operator of the Titanic.

The River Wey Navigation: A historic canalised waterway with towpaths linking Godalming towards Guildford.

Godalming: attractive market town.

Lunch: Queen Victoria, Shalford.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

A village, the wildlife-rich Enton Lakes and field paths, finishing by the Pepper Pot landmark in Godalming; some steady inclines.

Enton Lakes: A cluster of wildlife-rich lakes set in the countryside near Witley.

The Pepper Pot: Godalming's distinctive former Market Hall, an 18th-century landmark in the town centre.

Godalming: attractive market town.

Lunch: White Hart, Witley.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: An absolutely splendid route. An undulating, largely off-road route across country and a mix of woodland and farm tracks with some quiet lane walking. There are quite a few ups and downs before Godalming. Goes through Woodland Trust woods at Brook to reduce A-road walking; passes Milford station and bus stops, giving drop-out points (note reduced Sunday transport).

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Swan Barn Farm: A quiet retreat of woodland and pasture only 30 seconds from Haslemere High Street (National Trust).

Lunch: A pub at Brook (book ahead for food, especially on Sundays) plus refreshments and bus stops at Witley.

Walk details: Slow Ways.